New Home construction/Builder problems?

Question

I am buying a new construction home. We signed a contract on one of the inventory homes that was just a month away from being completed.

We were told by both sales reps that the house came with under cabinet lighting. They went as far as to say "the granite will look beautiful when the under cabinet lights are on". They mentioned this feature when we toured the home, when we looked at the model and during contract signing.

I just happened to be looking at the job intiation paperwork today and noticed it said under cabinet molding w/out light.

I called the sales office and they appologized for the mistake but said they cant do anything about it now and that "its just under cabinet lighting" . It may seem small but this is my first home and I want what was represented. Do I have any recourse in this situation? What is the cost of undercabinet lighting?

Answer 1

Advise them that "it is just under cabinet lighting" that they showed in the model and talked about during the presentation and you expect it or will withhold the money to get it installed. This is false advertising or "bait and switch" which are both illegal. You still need to sign final papers before you take possession of the house.

Answer 2

You can hold money in escroll until they complete the job. Find out what it would cost (go to home depot or something & ask what they charge per foot) to install it & hold that amount. You might not get them to do it, but then you can use that escroll money to have it done.

Answer 3

Remember this saying, The squeaky Hinge gets the oil. I think they double talked you and you might be able to small claims the contractor and agent that represented the contractor. I don't think they was talking to somebody else or you wouldn't have known they said anything about them, Tell them to ante up or go to court,